Rotation.org's Member Newsletter
October 2016
Highlights and New Posts
- Many new photos have been posted in our Workshop Photos forum!
- Making Jonah's Whale ...new photos
- The Young Messiah (2016 theater release) extensive review and outline by a Director of Christian Education
- Links to 88 animated Bible "video shorts" 3 to 4 minutes each.
- Widow's Mite lesson idea discussion
- "Heroes of the Bible" lesson ideas discussion
- Links to Rotation.org Drama Lessons which use "blacklight."Plus, updated "how to."
- List of Veggie Tale videos which teach Bible stories
- "Gemmy" lights and other great "What's in Your Resource Closet?" ideas.
An Interview with Rotation.org Members Jennifer and Sabrina
...see their interview and photos of their church's exciting Sunday School at the END of this email.
(A photo from Jennifer and Sabrina's church)
Birth of Jesus! Lesson Set Posted
Our Writing Team recently posted a brand new "Birth of Jesus" lesson set for our Supporting Members. Among many exciting workshops, it includes "Newsroom" and "Song Game" workshops, and a special Art Workshop activity that could also be used as an "all-church" Advent activity.
Visit all our Advent lesson forums
Other Recently Revised WT Sets:
The Beatitudes, Esther, and Exodus through Water and Wilderness.
Posting Soon from the WT:
The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness
See a menu of all the WT sets and look for the revised and improved logo.
The existence of our site depends on your faithful contributions of content, time, and money.
- Post your lesson ideas, resources and insights.
- Post words of appreciation when you find a resource you like.
- Become a Supporting Member for $30 a year.
An Interview with Rotation.org Members
Jennifer McRae and Sabrina Williams
Central United Methodist Church, Meridian MS
Central United Methodist Church is a large and thriving congregation in Meridian, Mississippi where they have created a visually exciting learning atmosphere for their kids.
Jennifer McRae, aka member "JWMCRAE" at Rotation.org, is Central's lay leader for children's education. She joined rotation.org in 2009 when their Sunday School began using the Workshop Rotation Model. Sabrina Williams, (aka member "Sabrwms" at our site) is the church's Director of Children and Family. They have been working with a "great group of volunteers" to create a terrific program for their kids, and sharing and gleaning ideas at rotation.org
The following are excerpts from our interview with both Jennifer and Sabrina. They have been combined into one awesome read.
______________________________________
Central UMC began using the Rotation Model in 2008. Why? Because we wanted to engage children more during Sunday School and reach them through their different learning styles. To get ideas for the direction we wanted to go, we canvassed Rotation.org and visited Canterbury UMC in Birmingham, Ala., and Parkway Heights UMC in Hattiesburg, Miss.
We love the children’s excitement each Sunday and the fact that they are actively engaged in learning. We're thrilled to report that we experienced a 40% increase in attendance by the end of our first five-year rotation cycle. We have what we call our “safe number” when we are preparing materials and supplies. It used to be 40, but now it's 55.
One of the extra benefits we've experienced has been the way more adults in our church are participating in teaching and interacting with our children. We have 20+ adult volunteers each Sunday and rotate 60 different adult church members through our program each year.
Our Sunday School is called "The Crosswalk," and features the following workshops:
- Circuit Riders Computer Lab
- Art and Soul (art and games)
- Cinema on the Mount (cinema)
- Tent Tales (drama and storytelling)
- Good Creations (Science)
- Soul Foods (cooking)
- Central Park --our gathering space and time where we reinforce the rotation story through songs and video clips.
(See Photo Links Below)
Introducing the Rotation story through sight and sound is one of our big commitments. During our Central Park gathering time, we often use video clips of our own making. Sometimes we have "live" characters lead our gathering time. Moses himself came and talked to our kids, telling them about crossing the red sea, the pillar of smoke (fog machine) and pillar of fire (flame lights). Jonah washed up on the shore one morning laying in the sand as the kid entered and smelling kind of fishy (a few sardines did the trick). We're rotating back to the Jonah story this year, and our kids will once again have to enter The Crosswalk through a 55- foot long "whale."
We call our Rotation Sunday School, "Jerusalem Tours." Our hallways are painted and decorated to resemble a Bible city street with stores lining the street. The kids enter in through the Old Testament --passing by "Adam and Eve’s Produce" store, and "Moses’ Law Office." At the intersecting hall New Testament shop decor begins. There's the "Starlight Inn" and "Mary and Martha’s Catering and Events." Scriptures are hidden in each facade along with other messages. We have enjoyed creating the "extra special" atmosphere to excite and immerse our kids in the story.
Our kids especially love our Good Creations science workshop. Making oobleck (a non-Newtonian gooey fluid) during a Parables workshop has probably been their favorite. They also love Cinema on the Mount because one of our permanent volunteer always treats them with popcorn.
One interesting "side-effect" of adopting the Rotation Model has been how we approach Vacation Bible School. We've had to make it more immersive and more focused on Bible-times decor.
One of our biggest challenges is consistent attendance due to the commitments that families have outside of church. We thought recruiting teachers would be a challenge, but we are blessed by several people who want to regularly teach.
One unique feature about our Sunday School is the "Sword Store" we created to encourage student attendance and positive participation. Guides record each child's attendance and other positives, such as, remembering to bring a Bible, bring a friend, ask questions, and learn certain scriptures. At the end of each Rotation, we hold a Celebration Sunday where we review content, award points, and let the kids redeem them in the “Sword Store.”
We appreciate Rotation.org as a lesson resource, and source of new ideas for our program.
____________________________
Rotation.org thanks Central Church and its creative team for sharing!
To learn more about Central's church and Sunday School, visit http://centralunitedmethodistc.../children/elementary
Photo of Crosswalk sign post
Photo of Good Creations Science Workshop
Photo of Art and Soul Workshop
Photo of Circuit Riders Computer Workshop
Photo of Gathering Time actor